Fire-escape



(Model.) D. H. DILLMAN.

PIRE ESCAPE.

No. 341,321. Patented May 4, 1886.

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--1 IMS WITN'ES'SES ATTORNEYS.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DAVID H. DILLMAN, OF FREDERICKSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

FIRE-ESCAPE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 341,321, dated May 4,1886.

' Application led January 19, IBEG. Serial No. 189.754. (Model.)

T all whom, it may concern,.-

Be it known that I, DAVID H. DILLMAN, of Fredericksburg, in the countyot' Lebanon and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and usefulImprovement in Fire-Escapes, of which the following is a description.

My invention relates to an improvement in the class of endless-ladderlire-escapes adapted for attach mentto the cornice or side of abuilding, contiguous to a Window or other vplace of exit, and to operateautomatically when a person steps upon the ladder, so as to convey himto the ground in safety.

The features of novelty are as hereinafter described-and claimed.

In accompanying drawings,Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating myinvention applied to a building. Fig. 2 is a side sectional elevation ofthe same. Fig. 3 is a front View of a portion of the apparatus. Fig. 4is adetail perspective view ofthe escapement-anchor.

The endless-chain ladder A is suspended from and travels onsprocket-Wheels B, fixed on a horizontal shaft, 1, journaled in a boX orcasing, C, which is attached to the cornice and side of a building, D,as shown. The ladder A runs at its lower end on similar chain orsprocket wheels, E E, mounted on a shaft journaled in brackets F, aixedto the side of the building at any preferred height above the ground.The aforesaid shaft 1 carries two spur-gears, G G. Within the said box Care journaled two other shafts, 2 and 3, which are parallel to theformer, l. The shaft 2 carries an escape-wheel, H, and two gears, I I,that mesh with gears G G. The third shaft, 8, is affixed to the anchorK, that acts on escapewheel H. On this same anchorshaft, 3, is Xed avibrating` frame, L, which is arranged vertically, and serves both as aregulator and alarm-that is to say, when a person steps from a window orother upper exit of the building upon the inner side ofthe chain ladderA his weight causes it to travel downward on that side, thereby rotatingthe shafts l and 2, together with their attached gears G I andescape-wheel H, in the directions indicated by arrows. The rotation ofthe escape wheel thus imparted causes oscillation of the anchor K andcorresponding vibration of the aforesaid frame L. The latter is providednear its upper end with a weight, a, whereby it subserves the purposesof an alarm, and also aids the escapement or anchor Kin regulating theaction of the escape apparatus proper. The part a acts as a hammerliead,which, striking on the bell M at each complete vibration of frame L,sounds an alarm thatindicates to all outside the building the operationof the escape, and, second, it loads the frame L so that its oscillationis limited in rapidity to t-hat extent, and thus enables it to regulatethe rapidity with which the ladder may travel with the load of personsavailing themselves of that means of descent and escape from thebuilding.

To indicate to all remaining occupants of the building C the place ofexit where the escape is operating, I arrange a bell-alarm, N, Fig. 2,within the same and connect its hammer with an arm, b, of theanchor-shaft 3 by means ofa rod, c. Thus the anchor and the Weightedregulator vibrate, and both alarms sound simultaneously while the ladderis in use. The latter travels in either direction, which is sometimesadvantageous in facilitating descent, and also prevents maliciouspersons from using it as a means of ascent for gaining access totheupper portions of the buildlng.

It will be noted that the escapement is not of the ordinaryconstructionthat is to say, the teeth of wheel H are short, and haveboth sides of, equal length, and the anchor K has pallets adapted toenter between and momentarily lock with the teeth, and also to ride overthem,whiehever way the said wheel may be rotated. rIhis relativeconstruction of the parts of the escapement is necessary to thebefore-described operation of the apparatus.

The special construction of the pallets of the anchor is as follows: Theends d of the latter are curved exteriorly, and have plain or flat innerfaces, which are composed of pieces e, hinged to the inner termini ofsaid curved portions, and held normally pressed against studs or stopsvf by means of spiral springs g, placed between them and the curved endportions, d, and encircling guide-pins attached to the hinged pieces.Thus the latter are arranged transversely or at nearly right angles tothe longer axis of the anchor. The curved or rounded portions of thepallets work easily against one side of the teeth of the es- IOOcape-wheel H, and the hinged pieces allow their points to strike andslip off with less noise and jar than would be incident to the use ofpallets of ordinary construction. rlhe springs g allow a reboundingaction,which fz vors easy and proper action of the vibrating frame orregulator L.

Another feature of my invention is the means for adjustable attachmentof the box D to the building. Cornices varyin form, size, and degrec oflateral projection, and hence auniform or fixed attachment cannot alwaysbe employed. l support the box l) and its attachments from the corniceby screw-couplingsthat is to say, couplings formed of the linkshapednuts h, and two threaded rods, i fr', that are hinged, respectively, tothe box and to plates screwed to the cornice. rlhe lower portion of boxD is secured to the side of the building by bars It, Fig. l, which havelongitudinal slots provided with angular feet having notches, both ofwhich receive screw-bolts, as shown. By adjustment of saidscrew-couplings and bars the box D may be attached and supported inproper position for the required operation of the apparatus. The bell Mis supported upon a standard, whose curved lower end is slottedlengthwise, to allow the bell to be adjusted relative to the cornice andhammer l a, as conditions may require. For the same purpose the hammer ais also made adjustable laterally on a horizontal bar, l, and the saidbar is adjustable vertically on frame L. Both the hammer and itssupporting-bar are clamped by screws min any adj ustment. The front ofbox D is hinged to allow access to the works within, but is heldnormally closed by a hasp and padlock.

That I claim isl. In a fire-escape, the combination,with the bell andvibrating frame, of a hammer proper, which is made adjustable to adaptit for operation under different conditions, as set forth.

2. In a lire-escape, the combination, with the bell and vibrating frame,of a hammer-head and an adjusting device which adapts thelatter forbeing shifted vertically or laterally, as and for the purpose specilied.

3. In ahrc-escape, the combination,with the bell and vibrating frame, ofa vertically-sliding horizontal bar attached to the latter, ahammer-head which slides on said bar, and screws for clamping the partsin any required adjustment, as shown and described.

In a rire-escape, the combination of the bell and its supportingstandardhaving a lengthwise slot with the hammer )ropeiymade adjustable, asspeciiied.

5. In a lire-escapo, thc combination,with the escape-wheel, constructedwith teeth like an ordinary spur-gear, of the lever or anchor havingrounded ends aud flat inner faces which are transverse to the axis ofthe lever, the rotary gearing,and traveling ladder, all as shown anddescribed, to operate as specified.

G. An escapement lever or anchor having hinged faces and springspressing on the latter, as and :for the purpose specified.

7. An escapement lever or anchor having rounded ends and hinged springpressed pieces constituting their inner faces, as shown and described.

DAVID ll. DILLMAN. vWitnesses:

D. S. LONGENEOKER,

A. H. BoL'rZ.

